What a win. Ireland secured a bonus point win against a well-organised Welsh side without several key players. It was by no means flawless and Andy Farrell will be bitterly disappointed with a continued narrowness in defence but Ireland got the job done.
There are many aspects that Ireland can take pride in, but perhaps most admirably it was that monumental against-the-head scrum shortly after John Ryan and Jack McGrath were introduced.
That scrum represents a hugely encouraging improvement in that set-piece under Joe Schmidt. However, much of the plaudits must go to Greg Feek, Ireland's scrum coach.
When Feek arrived in 2014, Ireland had a historic reliance on pivotal players for the scrum to function, firstly in John Hayes and then in Mike Ross.
The depth for both sides of the scrum is now unprecedented. Today Ireland were without the world-class Furlong, yet had incredibly strong deputies in Andrew Porter and John Ryan. Finlay Bealham has been superb for Connacht this year. Cian Healy, Jack McGrath and David Kilcoyne ensure the loosehead position is as strong as it has ever been.
Feek has been pivotal to this process. When Mike Ross retired, Feek encouraged him to take an advisory role with Leinster's academy props. Ross's coaching progression continues with the Irish ladies side. When he took that role, Ross told the press he had strong suspicions Greg Feek nominated him for the position.
Ireland now have an outstanding platform with their own scrum and are competitive against the head too. The idea that as an organization the IRFU can recognise a reliance on key positions and take impactful measures to address it is hugely encouraging and merits praise.
Depth such as this is precisely what is necessary with a World Cup on the horizon.
